SPRINGVALE COLLIERY VENTILATION SHAFT NO 3

Project Description:

Design and construct a 4.25m diameter 380m deep shaft with a 3.5m internal diameter shaft lining installed to 357m deep. The ventilation shaft was drilled by blind boring methods which provided a safe and effective process for the ground conditions at Springvale Coal. The steel encased concrete liner is 100 per cent watertight and will be maintenance free for an estimated service life of thirty years.

Complex Challenges:

The upper 63m of strata consists of weak, weathered sandstone. This section was drilled at 4.6m diameter and an intermediated casing installed to stabilise that zone.

All of the excavated rock cuttings were brought to the surface. This was important to mines such as Springvale where a minimum number of development headings would make it difficult to handle and remove cuttings from the mine.